Prime Minister Oli and Chinese PM Li hold talks

Kathmandu, March 21: Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Keqiang held official bilateral talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing today leading their respective delegations.

During the talks, the two Prime Ministers made a comprehensive review of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction over steadily growing relations between the two countries, states a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two sides exchanged substantive views on further strengthening and consolidating mutual trust and understanding as well as promoting mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.

Trade diversification, cross border connectivity and infrastructure development, cooperation on energy, tourism, finance, education and culture were among the matters that figured prominently during the talks.

Following the official talks, the two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing ceremony of the following bilateral Agreements and Memorandum of Understandings concluded between Nepal and China.

The agreements, MoUs and Letter of Exchange concluded are as follows:

S.N. Agreement/MoUs/LoE Signatories

1. Agreement on Transit Transport between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Nepal - Hon. Mr. Kamal Thapa, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nepal

2. Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Nepal on the Construction, Management and Maintenance of the Xiarwa Boundary River Bridge, (Hilsa) Humla - Hon. Mr. Kamal Thapa, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal

3. Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Nepal to implement Pokhara Regional International Airport Project - Hon. Mr. Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Minister for Finance, Nepal

4. Framework Agreement on the provision of Mixed Loan between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Nepal to implement Pokhara Regional International Airport Projcet - Hon. Mr. Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Minister for Finance, Nepal

5. Letters of Exchange on Project Initiation for the Feasibility Study on Chinese Assistance to Nepal for Exploration of Oil and Gas Resources - Hon. Mr. Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Minister for Finance, Nepal

6. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Population and Environment of Nepal and National Development and Reform Commission of the People's Republic of China concerning the provision of goods for addressing climate change - Hon. Mr. Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Minister for Finance, Nepal

7. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Industry of Nepal and State Administration for Industry and Commerce of the People's Republic of China to strengthen intellectual property system - Hon. Mr. Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Minister for Finance

8. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Commerce of Nepal on Launching the Joint Feasibility Study of China-Nepal Free Trade Agreement - Hon. Mr. Deepak Bohara Minister for Commerce, Nepal

The Chinese Premier also hosted a luncheon in honour of the Prime Minister of Nepal and his delegation at the Great Hall of the People.

Earlier today, Prime Minister of Nepal was accorded a warm welcome with state honour at a special ceremony held at the forecourt of the Great Hall of the People. The two Prime Ministers jointly inspected the Guard of Honour.

The Prime Minister will call on Mr Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China later today.

The members of the Nepalese delegations Mr Kamal Thapa, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Minister for Finance, Mr Deepak Bohara, Minister for Commerce, Mr Giriraj Mani Pokharel, Minister for Education, Mr Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister, Members of the Legislature-Parliament, Chief Secretary, Secretaries and senior Government Officials were present during the official talks as well as at the welcome ceremony. RSS